5 Easy Ways to Practice A New Language
Let’s keep it 100 - learning a new language is never easy. It can feel easy when you start with the basics, understand simple grammar, and ask for coffee. However, when you aim for fluency, the more complicated grammar, the nuances between words that typically mean the same in English, and the speed at which native speakers talk will have you ready to throw out the many hours of study. Instead of giving up and never practicing again, take a step back. These 5 ways to study are for the days when you don’t have it in you to sit for hours. Think of it as an ‘active rest’ (without the planks).
Watch your favorite comfort film or show in your target language.
Most shows offer various languages for both audio and subtitles. I recommend changing both since, odds are, you already know what’s being said since it’s the 100th watch-through. Having both the audio and subtitles in your target language helps bridge the gap between how words sound and how they are written. You will unconsciously learn grammar and speech rules. Another reason for changing both is your brain has no choice but to think in your target language. Your mind is constantly looking for the easy way out. If the audio is in English, you are less likely to read subtitles in another language. If the subtitles are in English, you are probably not listening to what’s being said and missing a lot of the action.
Now, if your comfort show does not have the option for both, one is always better than nothing. (I have in watched Remember the Titans in English with Korean subtitles more than once. )
The Chrome extension Language Reactor can help with this. This extension works with YouTube and Netflix.
2. Have a karaoke moment or several.
I love a good ballad, no matter what language it is. I am also more likely to remember a word I have learned from a song than a textbook. (Am I the only one?) Pick a genre, an artist, or a song, and start singing. There are many lyric videos on YouTube, Apple Music has lyrics for most songs, or simply play the song and look up the lyrics on Google. You will not only learn new words but practice speaking speed and pronunciation in a fun way. For an extra challenge, try a rap song.
I have a 노래방 (karaoke) playlist filled with songs I will one day be able to sing confidently and completely in Korean and get a 90% score or higher. This playlist is made up of some of my favorite songs as well as “must-learns,” according to a few of my Korean friends.
3. Complain.
Yes, let it all out in your target language. This is a great way to find out what you know and release some tension. Can you recall how to say ‘annoying’? Do you need to strengthen your vocabulary to fully grasp your emotions? Now, be careful how you use this. Do it alone if unsure who else speaks the language. If you are learning Korean and no one else in your family is….. let her rip, but maybe keep a straight face while you do it. This can also work with journaling. Maybe do a mix of both to practice writing and speaking.
If you are not much of a complainer and everything is rainbows and sunshine, be sure to try this with gratitude and love.
4. Rehearse that conversation in your head.
Yes, we all do it. Whether for future conversations or replaying the one from 3 weeks ago and how it could have gone differently. Rehearse it in your target language. No pens, no paper, no technology needed. Do what you normally do, just in Korean or any language you are learning. Who’s gonna know if you lost the argument in your head?
5. Talk to a translation app.
Sometimes, when I’m working on my pronunciation, I pull up Papago or DeepL set from Korean to English, or even TikTok, and start talking. The best part of using TikTok is you never have to post it and have a video journal of how far you’ve come. These translators are not 100% accurate, but they do a great job. Did it translate correctly? Is it even close? This method can pinpoint sounds and words you may not know you have difficulty pronouncing.
The point of this list is the low stakes. Language learning does not always have to be a marathon of 3-5 hours or bust. It can be chill and relaxing. Using these methods to practice allows for consistency. It provides time to enjoy the journey without the anxiety of the end-of-unit test. Immersion is not always about going to another country and forcing yourself to learn the hard way. Immersion can be as simple as existing.
